JP6717038B2 - Refueling port closing device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique of a device for closing a filler opening.

The fuel filler of a vehicle is provided with a closing device that closes the liquid fuel stored in the fuel tank so as not to overflow. The device for closing the fuel filler has a lid as an outer lid that separates the fuel tank from the outside, and a filler neck that is disposed inside the lid and that receives a fuel nozzle that supplies liquid fuel. The fuel tank opening/closing device described in Patent Document 1 describes an opening/closing member for a fuel passage that opens by rotating toward the fuel tank when a refueling nozzle is inserted.

JP, 2014-69618, A JP, 2010-23678, A

In the fuel tank opening/closing device described in Patent Document 1, when the refueling nozzle is inserted, the opening/closing member pivots toward the fuel passage to open the opening of the fuel passage. Mud that adhered could enter the fuel passage.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and can be realized as the following modes or application examples.
[Mode 1] A closing device (100) for a filler opening (100A), which is an inlet box (40) forming the filler opening (100A) and a first rotating shaft (39) fixed to the inlet box (40). ) As a center to open and close the surface of the inlet box (40) on the base side of the fueling nozzle which is opposite to the tip side of the fueling nozzle inserted into the closing device (100). ) And a fuel passage forming an opening (10A) on the fuel tank side of the inlet box (40) and forming a fuel passage through which the liquid fuel supplied from the opening (10A) to the fuel tank passes. The lid (30) includes a plate-shaped lid main body (36) that rotates about the first rotation shaft (39), and the inside of the lid main body (36). An opening/closing mechanism (33) which is disposed separately from the lid main body (36) and is rotatable about the first rotation shaft (39) independently of the lid main body (36). And an opening/closing mechanism (33) for opening and closing the opening (10A), and when the lid (30) is opened from a closed state, the lid main body (36) and the opening/closing mechanism (36). 33) A closing device (100) that opens integrally with the device.
According to the fuel port closing device of this aspect, even if dirt or the like adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the opening/closing mechanism at the time of refueling, the opening/closing mechanism opens in the upstream direction. It is possible to reduce entry into the passage. Further, a person who refuels can open and close the opening/closing mechanism at the same time by opening and closing only the lid, and it is not necessary to separately open and close the lid and the opening/closing mechanism, which improves the convenience of the person who refuels.

(1) According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for closing a fuel filler port. The device for closing the fuel supply port includes an inlet box that forms the fuel supply port; a first rotation shaft that is fixed to the inlet box, and is rotated about the tip end side of a fuel supply nozzle that is inserted into the device. A lid for opening and closing the surface of the inlet box; forming a fuel passage forming an opening on the fuel tank side of the inlet box, and forming a fuel passage through which liquid fuel supplied from the opening to the fuel tank passes. A lid body that rotates about the first rotation shaft, and the first rotation shaft inside the lid body that is separate from the lid body. An opening/closing mechanism that is rotatable around the opening/closing mechanism and that opens/closes the opening; when the lid is opened from the closed state, the lid main body and the opening/closing mechanism are integrally formed. open. According to the fuel port closing device of this aspect, even if dirt or the like adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the opening/closing mechanism at the time of refueling, the opening/closing mechanism opens in the upstream direction. It is possible to reduce entry into the passage. Further, a person who refuels can open and close the opening/closing mechanism at the same time by opening and closing only the lid, and it is not necessary to separately open and close the lid and the opening/closing mechanism, which improves the convenience of the person who refuels.

(2) In the device for closing a fuel filler according to the above aspect, the inlet box has a first engagement portion; the opening/closing mechanism is an arm rotatable about the first rotation shaft, and the opening portion. A first lid portion having a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion, the opening portion being opened and closed, and the opening portion being the first engaging portion. When engaged with the second engagement portion, the first lid portion may be closed. According to the fuel supply port closing device of this aspect, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the opening/closing mechanism is opened/closed according to opening/closing of the lid with a simple mechanism.

(3) In the fuel filler closing device of the above aspect, the first lid portion may be detachable from the arm. According to the refueling port closing device of this aspect, it is not necessary to close the opening/closing mechanism to close the opening, and the number of options for closing the opening is increased, so that the convenience of the person who refuels is improved.

(4) In the closing device for a fuel filler according to the above aspect, the inlet box has a first engaging portion; the opening/closing mechanism is an arm rotatable about the first rotation shaft, and the inlet box. A second lid portion that opens and closes the opening by rotating around a second rotation shaft fixed to the first rotation portion, the second lid portion including a third engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion. When the arm is closed from the open state, the arm contacts the second lid part and the second lid part pivots in the closing direction, so that the first engaging part and the first engaging part When the three engaging portions are engaged, the opening may be closed by the second lid portion. According to the fuel port closing device of this aspect, even if dirt or the like adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the opening/closing mechanism at the time of refueling, the opening/closing mechanism opens in the upstream direction. It is possible to reduce entry into the passage.

The present invention can be realized in various modes other than the device for closing the filler opening. For example, the present invention can be implemented in the form of an automobile equipped with a device for closing the filler opening, a method for manufacturing the device for closing the filler opening, and the like.

According to the present invention, even if mud or the like adheres to the outer surface of the first cover that faces the upstream side, such as during refueling, the first cover opens to the upstream side. Intrusion into the fuel passage can be reduced.

It is a perspective view of the state where the lid of the device for closing the filler opening in the first embodiment is open. It is a perspective view of a closing device in the state where a lid main part opened and an arm closed. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the first opening in a state where the arm portion and the lid body portion are closed. It is a perspective view of the closing device in a 2nd embodiment of the state where the 1st lid part was removed from the arm part in the state where the arm part and the lid main part were opened. It is a perspective view of the closing device in a 3rd embodiment provided with the 2nd lid.

A. First embodiment:
(1) Schematic Configuration of Refueling Port Closing Device FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid 30 of the refueling device 100A closing device 100 in the first embodiment is opened. The closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "closing device 100") is mounted on a vehicle, and a fueling nozzle for supplying liquid fuel to a fuel tank of the vehicle is inserted therein. As shown in FIG. 1, the closing device 100 includes a fuel passage forming portion 10, a lid 30, and an inlet box 40. The fuel passage forming portion 10 is a cylindrical member that forms the first opening 10A into which the fuel supply nozzle is inserted and forms a fuel passage that guides the liquid fuel to the fuel tank. The first opening 10A corresponds to the opening in the claims.

The inlet box 40 positions the fuel passage forming portion 10 on the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet box 40 has a box-like shape having an elliptical cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the oil supply nozzle. The inlet box 40 is connected to the fuel passage forming portion 10 on the fuel tank side. The inlet box 40 has a second opening 40</b>A formed on the surface on the upstream side opposite to the fuel tank side. The inlet box 40 and the lid 30 form the refueling port 100A when the lid 30 is closed. The inlet box 40 has a first engaging portion 45. The first engagement portion 45 fixes the position of the first lid portion 31 described later with respect to the inlet box 40. The detailed configuration of the first engaging portion 45 will be described later. In this specification, the fuel tank side is also referred to as the downstream side. Further, the upstream side in the present specification is the inner side along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder into which the oil supply nozzle is inserted, downstream from the oil supply port 100A, and the lid 30 is located upstream from the oil supply port 100A. The outer surface side is referred to as the upstream side in a state in which is not closed. Specifically, with respect to the lid 30 in the state where the lid 30 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, the left side of FIG. 1 is called the upstream side, and the right side of FIG. 1 is called the downstream side.

The lid 30 rotates about a first rotation shaft 39 whose position is fixed to the inlet box 40. The lid 30 opens and closes the surface of the inlet box 40 on the base side of the fueling nozzle which is opposite to the tip side of the fueling nozzle inserted into the fueling port 100A. The lid 30 protects the fuel passage forming portion 10 in a state where it is rotated and closed. The lid 30 includes a flat plate-shaped lid main body portion 36, and an arm portion 33 arranged inside the lid main body portion 36. The lid main body portion 36 and the arm portion 33 are made of a resin material. The lid main body portion 36 and the arm portion 33 are rotatable separately from each other about the first rotation shaft 39. The arm portion 33 has an arm body portion 32 that rotates about the first rotation shaft 39, and a first lid portion 31 attached to the free end side of the arm body portion 32. The first lid portion 31 covers the first opening 10A in a state of being completely rotated in the closing direction in which the arm body portion 32 is closed. The first lid 31 is made of rubber and can be deformed within a predetermined range. The arm portion 33 corresponds to the opening/closing mechanism in the claims, and the arm body portion 32 corresponds to the arm in the claims.

(2) Details of Operation of Arm 33 and First Engagement 45 When Opening and Closing FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closing device 100 with the lid body 36 opened and the arm 33 closed. As shown in FIG. 2, when the arm portion 33 closes the first opening 10A, the first engaging portion 45 fixes the arm portion 33 in the closing direction. In the present embodiment, the first rotation shaft 39 has a spring that biases the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 in the opening direction. Therefore, unless the first lid portion 31 of the arm portion 33 in which the first engaging portion 45 is closed is fixed, the arm portion 33 will open. In other words, the first engaging portion 45 engages with the upstream surface 31A of the first lid portion 31 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “upstream side surface 31A”), so that the first opening 10A becomes the first lid. It is closed by the part 31. The upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31 corresponds to the second engaging portion in the claims.

The lid main body 36 includes a bending arm 35 and a lid cover 34. The lid cover 34 separates the refueling port 100A from the atmosphere when the lid 30 is closed. The lid cover 34 has, on the downstream side, an elastic member for absorbing variations in the position of fitting with the second opening 40A. The curved arm 35 is a curved arm for rotating the lid cover 34.

The first engagement portion 45 includes a fixed portion 43 fixed to the inlet box 40, an engagement rotating shaft 41 fixed to the fixed portion 43, and a holding portion 42 that rotates about the engagement rotating shaft 41. Is equipped with. The engagement rotary shaft 41 has a spring that urges the first lid 31 toward the fuel tank in the closing direction. An end portion of the pressing portion 42 on the opposite side that does not contact the first lid portion 31 (hereinafter, also referred to as “outer peripheral side end portion”) contacts the lid cover 34 when the lid main body portion 36 is closed. When the lid cover 34 comes into contact with the outer peripheral side end of the pressing portion 42, the lid cover 34 rotates about the engagement rotation shaft 41 in the opening direction which is the opposite of the closing direction, and releases the first lid portion 31.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the first opening 10A in a state where the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 are closed. As shown in FIG. 3, when the lid main body portion 36 is closed in addition to the arm portion 33, the surface of the lid cover 34 on the inlet box 40 side and the outer peripheral side end portion of the holding portion 42 come into contact with each other, so that the holding portion 42. Rotates in the opening direction about the engagement rotation shaft 41. As a result, the end portion of the engagement rotary shaft 41 that was in contact with the upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31 when the lid main body portion 36 is open (hereinafter, also referred to as “inner peripheral side end portion”). Does not contact the upstream side surface 31A. As a result, when the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 are closed, only the lid main body portion 36 biases the arm portion 33 in the closing direction. Although not shown, the lid 30 is engaged with a part of the inlet box 40 so as to maintain the closed state when the second opening 40A is closed.

In the present embodiment, the biasing force of the engagement rotary shaft 41 that biases the pressing portion 42 in the closing direction is set to be smaller than the biasing force of the first rotary shaft 39 that biases the lid 30 in the opening direction. Therefore, when the engagement between the lid 30 and the inlet box 40 is released from the state in which the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 shown in FIG. 3 are closed, the inner peripheral side end portion of the engaging rotary shaft 41 moves to the first position. Before contacting the upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31, the arm portion 33 rotates in the opening direction by the urging force of the first rotation shaft 39.

(3) Actions/Effects of Opening/Closing the Lid When the lid 30 is closed, such as when the vehicle is running, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 30 closes the fuel filler port 100A and the arm is closed. The first lid portion 31 of the portion 33 closes the first opening 10A. At this time, the first lid portion 31 is biased in the closing direction by the lid cover 34 of the lid 30, and is not biased in the closing direction by the pressing portion 42 of the first engaging portion 45. Therefore, when the lid 30 is opened from the closed state, as shown in FIG. 1, the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 of the lid 30 are opened at the same time, and the refueling port 100A changes to a state in which the refueling nozzle can be inserted. To do.

When only the arm portion 33 is closed from the state in which the arm portion 33 and the lid main body portion 36 shown in FIG. 1 are opened, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31 has the first engaging portion 45. The engaging rotation shaft 41 receives an urging force in the closing direction from the inner peripheral side end portion thereof. Due to this urging force, the first lid portion 31 is pressed toward the downstream side and closes the first opening 10A.

As described above, the arm portion 33 opens and closes according to the opening and closing of the lid 30, but the first opening 10A is opened and closed by rotating separately from the lid main body portion 36 by a manual operation of a driver or the like. For example, when performing high-pressure car washing of an automobile with the lid main body 36 opened, as shown in FIG. 2, by closing only the arm portion 33, the first main body 36 is opened with the lid main body 36 opened. The opening 10A can be closed.

As described above, in the closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A of the present embodiment, the lid 30 includes the lid main body 36 that pivots about the first rotation shaft 39 to open and close the fuel filler opening 100A, and the lid main body. And an arm portion 33 that is separately rotatable about the first rotation shaft 39. When the lid 30 is opened from the closed state, the arm portion 33 and the lid body portion 36 are opened integrally. The arm portion 33 can rotate about the first rotation shaft 39 to open and close the first opening 10A. Therefore, in the closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A of the present embodiment, even if dirt or the like adheres to the outer surface of the first lid portion 31 of the arm portion 33 at the time of refueling, the arm portion 33 rotates to the upstream side. Since it is opened by opening, the mud adhering to the outer surface of the arm portion 33 can be prevented from entering the fuel passage. Further, in the closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A of the present embodiment, since the arm portion 33 opens to the upstream side, the arm portion 33 opened to the downstream side is accommodated as compared with the case where the arm portion 33 opens to the downstream side. Since it is not necessary to secure a space, the fuel passage forming portion 10 can be downsized. Further, in the closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A of the present embodiment, the arm portion 33 is also opened/closed in accordance with the opening/closing of the lid main body portion 36. As a result, a person who refuels can open and close the arm 33 at the same time by opening and closing only the lid main body 36, and does not have to open and close the lid main body 36 and the arm 33 separately, which is convenient for those who refuel. The property is improved.

Further, in the closing device 100 for the fuel filler opening 100A of the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 45 of the inlet box 40 and the upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31 arranged on the free end side of the arm portion 33 are engaged. By fitting, the 1st lid part 31 is fixed to the position which closes 1st opening 10A. Therefore, in the fuel filler port 100A of the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the first lid part 31 opens and closes the first opening 10A according to opening and closing of only the arm part 33 by a simple mechanism.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closing device 100a according to the second embodiment in a state where the first lid 31a is detached from the arm 33a while the arm 33a and the lid main body 36 are open. The closing device 100a of the second embodiment is different from the closing device 100 of the first embodiment in that the first lid 31a can be attached to and detached from the arm 33a, and other configurations and shapes are the same. is there. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the details of the first lid portion 31a that can be attached to and detached from the arm portion 33a will be described, and the description of other configurations and shapes will be omitted.

The arm portion 33a has, on the free end side thereof, a cylindrical engagement convex portion 38 that engages with the first lid portion 31a. A flange portion 38F is formed on the circumference of a part of the engaging convex portion 38 so as to protrude outward in the radial direction from the other portions. The first lid portion 31 a has a cylindrical engagement recess 37 that engages with the engagement protrusion 38. On a part of the circumference of the engagement recess 37, a circumferential recess 37F that is formed on the outer side in the radial direction and that engages with the flange portion 38F is formed. Since the first lid 31a is an elastic body and is deformable, the engagement recess 37 can be attached to the engagement protrusion 38 by engaging the flange 38F and the circumferential recess 37F.

As described above, in the closing device 100a of the second embodiment, the first lid part 31a can be attached to and detached from the arm part 33a. Therefore, it is not necessary to close the arm portion 33a to close the first opening 10A, and the number of options for closing the first opening 10A is increased, so that the convenience of the person who refuels is improved.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closing device 100b in the third embodiment including the second lid portion 20. The closure device 100b of the third embodiment is different from the closure device 100 of the first embodiment in that the lid 30b has the second lid part 20 instead of the first lid part 31, and other configurations and The shape is the same as that of the closing device 100 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the second lid portion 20 will be described, and the description of other configurations and shapes will be omitted.

The lid 30b of the third embodiment includes an arm body portion 32b, a lid body portion 36, and a second lid portion 20. The second lid portion 20 has a second rotating shaft 29 whose position is fixed with respect to the inlet box 40, and a first opening cover 21 which rotates about the second rotating shaft 29 to open and close the first opening 10A. , Is provided. In FIG. 5, the solid line shows the closed state of the first opening cover 21, and the two-dot chain line shows the opened state of the first opening cover 21. The second rotating shaft 29 is arranged between the first opening 10A and the first rotating shaft 39.

When the arm body portion 32b is rotated from the open state to the closed state when the first opening cover 21 is open, the upstream surface 21A of the first opening cover 21 comes into contact with the arm body portion 32b, It receives a force that rotates in the closing direction. Therefore, when the arm body portion 32b changes to the closed state, the first opening cover 21 also changes to the closed state. In this case, the upstream surface 21A and the first engaging portion 45 are engaged with each other, the rotation of the first opening cover 21 is restricted by the first engaging portion 45, and the second lid portion 20 is closed. Change. When the lid 30b including the second lid portion 20 is opened from the closed state, the second lid portion 20 is not restricted from rotating by the first engaging portion 45, and therefore the second lid portion 20 and the lid main body portion 36. Opens together. The upstream surface 21A of the first opening cover 21 corresponds to the third engaging portion in the claims.

As described above, in the closing device 100b of the third embodiment, the lid 30b has the second lid 20. The second lid 20 rotates about a second rotation shaft 29 fixed to the inlet box 40 to open and close the first opening 10A. The second lid portion 20 is integrally opened when the arm body portion 32b and the lid body portion 36 are opened. Therefore, in the closing device 100b of the third embodiment, even if mud or the like adheres to the outer surface of the second lid portion 20 during refueling, the second lid portion 20 rotates and opens to the upstream side. (2) It is possible to reduce the amount of mud adhering to the outer surface of the lid portion from entering the fuel passage.

D. Modification:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are possible.

In the above embodiment, an example was described as a closing device for the fuel filler opening 100A, but the shape of the closing device can be variously modified. For example, the inlet box 40 is a box-shaped member having an elliptical cross section, may have a rectangular cross section, or may be a member having a combination of a plurality of shapes. The second opening 40A and the oil supply port 100A may be formed.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example of the shape for the first lid portion and the first engaging portion 45 to engage with each other has been given, but with the first lid portion and the first engaging portion 45, The shape and configuration of the engagement of can be variously modified. For example, a convex portion or a concave portion for engaging with the first engaging portion 45 is formed on the upstream side surface 31A of the first lid portion 31, and the shape of the first engaging portion 45 or The position at which the 1-engagement portion 45 is arranged may change. Further, in the third embodiment described above, the second rotation shaft 29, which is the rotation center of the second lid portion 20, is arranged between the first opening 10A and the first rotation shaft 39. 29 may be arranged on the opposite side of the first rotating shaft 39 with the first opening 10A interposed therebetween.

In the above-described embodiment, the fuel filler opening 100A is defined as a space formed by the inlet box 40 and the lid 30, but the definition of the fuel filler opening 100A can be variously modified. For example, the first opening 10A may be defined as a fuel filler port.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modified examples, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each mode described in the section of the outline of the invention are appropriately set in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems. , Can be replaced or combined. If the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

Reference numeral 100, 100a, 100b... Refueling port closing device 100A... Refueling port 10... Fuel passage forming portion 10A... First opening 20... Second lid portion 21... First opening cover 21A... Upstream surface 29 of first opening cover 29... 2 rotation shafts 30, 30b... Lids 31, 31a... First lid portion 31A... Upstream side surface of first lid portion 32, 32b... Arm body portion 33, 33a, 33b... Arm portion 34... Lid cover 35... Curved arm 36... Lid main body portion 37... Engagement concave portion 37F... Circumferential concave portion 38... Engagement convex portion 38F... Flange portion 39... First rotation shaft 40... Inlet box 40A... Second opening 41... Engagement rotation shaft 42... Pressing portion 43... Fixed part 45... First engaging part

Claims (4)

A closing device (100) for the fuel filler (100A),
An inlet box (40) forming a fuel filler (100A),
The base of the refueling nozzle that is opposite to the tip end side of the refueling nozzle inserted into the closing device (100) by rotating around the first rotating shaft (39) fixed to the inlet box (40). a lid (30) for opening and closing the surface of the inlet box (40) side,
A fuel passage forming portion (10) that forms an opening (10A) on the fuel tank side of the inlet box (40) and forms a fuel passage through which liquid fuel supplied from the opening (10A) to the fuel tank passes. ) And,
The lid (30) is disposed inside the plate-shaped lid main body (36) that rotates around the first rotation shaft (39), and the lid main body (36). 36) and is separate from, the said lid body portion first rotation axis (39) in the center and the (36) a independently rotatable closing mechanism (33), said opening (10A ) Opening and closing mechanism (33),
A closing device (100) in which the lid body (36) and the opening/closing mechanism (33) are opened integrally when the lid (30) is opened from the closed state. A closure device (100) according to claim 1, wherein
The inlet box (40) has a first engaging portion (45),
The opening/closing mechanism (33) includes an arm (32) rotatable about the first rotation shaft (39) and a first lid part (31) for opening and closing the opening part (10A). A first lid portion (31) having a second engagement portion (31A) that engages with the first engagement portion (45),
The opening portion (10A) is closed by the first lid portion (31) when the first engagement portion (45) and the second engagement portion (31A) are engaged with each other, the closing device (100). .. A closure device (100a) according to claim 2, wherein
The first lid part (31a) is a device (100a) for closing the fuel filler port (100A), which is detachable from the arm (33a). The closure device (100b) according to claim 1, wherein
The inlet box (40) has a first engaging portion (45),
The opening/closing mechanism (33b) rotates about an arm (32b) rotatable about the first rotation shaft (39) and a second rotation shaft (29) fixed to the inlet box (40). A second lid portion (20) that moves to open and close the opening portion (10A), the second lid portion having a third engagement portion (21A) that engages with the first engagement portion (45). Have (20),
When the arm (32b) is closed from the open state, the arm (32b) contacts the second lid part (20) and the second lid part (20) rotates in the closing direction, A closing device (100b) in which the opening (10A) is closed by the second lid (20) when the first engaging portion (45) and the third engaging portion (21A) are engaged.

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